Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus, 59229-59230 [2015-24924]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 190 / Thursday, October 1, 2015 / Notices comments received before the close of business November 2, 2015. Comments will be available for examination in the docket at the location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The Agency will file comments received after the comment closing date in the public docket, and will consider them to the extent practicable. In addition to late comments, FMCSA will also continue to file, in the public docket, relevant information that becomes available after the comment closing date. Interested persons should monitor the public docket for new material. Issued on: September 25, 2015. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2015–24923 Filed 9–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2015–0063] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: FMCSA confirms its decision to exempt 58 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: The exemptions were effective on August 15, 2015. The exemptions expire on August 15, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Horan, III, Director, Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room W64–224, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590– 0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES6 SUMMARY: I. Electronic Access You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document Management System (FDMS) at: https:// www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov and/or Room W12–140 on the ground level of the VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:04 Sep 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. II. Background On July 15, 2015, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of Federal diabetes exemption applications from 58 individuals and requested comments from the public (80 FR 41550). The public comment period closed on August 14, 2015, and no comments were received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the 58 applicants and determined that granting the exemptions to these individuals would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved by complying with the current regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3). Diabetes Mellitus and Driving Experience of the Applicants The Agency established the current requirement for diabetes in 1970 because several risk studies indicated that drivers with diabetes had a higher rate of crash involvement than the general population. The diabetes rule provides that ‘‘A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin for control’’ (49 CFR 391.41(b)(3)). FMCSA established its diabetes exemption program, based on the Agency’s July 2000 study entitled ‘‘A Report to Congress on the Feasibility of a Program to Qualify Individuals with Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus to Operate in Interstate Commerce as Directed by the Transportation Act for the 21st Century.’’ The report concluded that a safe and practicable protocol to allow some drivers with ITDM to operate CMVs is feasible. The September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441), Federal Register notice in conjunction with the November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777), Federal Register notice provides the current protocol for allowing such drivers to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. These 58 applicants have had ITDM over a range of one to 50 years. These PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59229 applicants report no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness or seizure, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning symptoms, in the past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the past 5 years. In each case, an endocrinologist verified that the driver has demonstrated a willingness to properly monitor and manage his/her diabetes mellitus, received education related to diabetes management, and is on a stable insulin regimen. These drivers report no other disqualifying conditions, including diabetes-related complications. Each meets the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The qualifications and medical condition of each applicant were stated and discussed in detail in the July 15, 2015, Federal Register notice and they will not be repeated in this notice. III. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding. IV. Basis for Exemption Determination Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) if the exemption is likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would be achieved without the exemption. The exemption allows the applicants to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. To evaluate the effect of these exemptions on safety, FMCSA considered medical reports about the applicants’ ITDM and vision, and reviewed the treating endocrinologists’ medical opinion related to the ability of the driver to safely operate a CMV while using insulin. Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these applicants from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. V. Conditions and Requirements The terms and conditions of the exemption will be provided to the applicants in the exemption document and they include the following: (1) That each individual submit a quarterly monitoring checklist completed by the treating endocrinologist as well as an annual checklist with a comprehensive medical evaluation; (2) that each individual reports within 2 business days of occurrence, all episodes of severe hypoglycemia, significant complications, or inability to manage E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM 01OCN1 59230 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 190 / Thursday, October 1, 2015 / Notices diabetes; also, any involvement in an accident or any other adverse event in a CMV or personal vehicle, whether or not it is related to an episode of hypoglycemia; (3) that each individual provide a copy of the ophthalmologist’s or optometrist’s report to the medical examiner at the time of the annual medical examination; and (4) that each individual provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver’s qualification file, or keep a copy in his/her driver’s qualification file if he/she is selfemployed. The driver must also have a copy of the certification when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES6 VI. Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the 58 exemption applications, FMCSA exempts the following drivers from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), subject to the requirements cited above 949 CFR 391.64(b)): James D. Acker (OR) Henry Andreoli (MA) Jonathan A. Boston (NY) James G. Bracegirdle (GA) Richard T. Bray (TX) Joseph C. Brewster (VA) Bradley R. Brown (NH) Steven G. Brown (MN) Annette F. Bryant (CA) Brian G. Carter (GA) Daniel B. Craig (OR) Willie L. Davis (MS) Sean W. Dempsey (OH) Patrick L. Feely (MN) Garry W. Garrison (WI) James Genello (NJ) John T. Gorman (NJ) Gabriel L. Grooms (WA) Joel K. Hawkins (IL) William H. Hudgens, Jr. (TX) Gary L. Hulslander (PA) Daniel E. Jackowski (WI) Alan J. Jeffrey (CT) John W. Johnson (TN) Samuel S. Johnson (WI) Thomas R. Keaton (MO) Charles A. Kelley (IA) Omer E. King (PA) Eric R. Knutson (MN) Bruce E. Koehn (KS) Douglas L. Kugler (MN) John G. Leutze, Jr. (NY) Hershel McIntosh (KY) Andrew S. McKinney (MN) Michael L. Medina (CO) Douglas D. Miller (WY) Dallas W. Minton (IN) Ronnie R. Parker (ME) Robert F. Perez (PA) Ray E. Phipps (IL) Bruce F. Sanderson (LA) VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:04 Sep 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 Raymond Santiago (NJ) Travis D. Shadden (IN) Randy S. Steinbach (WA) Bradley D. Stillman (AZ) Paul R. Thorkelson (MN) Michael J. Toth (PA) Christopher O. Trent (KS) Charles H. Turner (WI) Jesse W. Turner (MI) Donavan A. Van Houten (WA) Matt S. Volk (NE) Daniel M. Waldner (ND) Carlton G. Watson (MD) Timothy L. Wilkinson (OH) Catherine A. Willcox (CT) Kenneth P. Wing (MI) Timothy W. Young (PA) In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 each exemption is valid for two years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315. If the exemption is still effective at the end of the 2-year period, the person may apply to FMCSA for a renewal under procedures in effect at that time. Issued on: September 25, 2015. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2015–24924 Filed 9–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2015–0056] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 59 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 2, 2015. All comments will be investigated by FMCSA. The exemptions will be issued the day after the comment period closes. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA– 2015–0056 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket numbers for this notice. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below for further information. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments on-line. Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Horan, III, Director, Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM 01OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59229-59230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24924]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0063]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA confirms its decision to exempt 58 individuals from its 
rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) 
from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. 
The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate 
commerce.

DATES: The exemptions were effective on August 15, 2015. The exemptions 
expire on August 15, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Horan, III, Director, 
Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards, (202) 366-4001, 
fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room W64-224, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. 
Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Electronic Access

    You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document 
Management System (FDMS) at: https://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov and/or Room W12-140 on the 
ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT 
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information 
the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the 
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    On July 15, 2015, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of Federal 
diabetes exemption applications from 58 individuals and requested 
comments from the public (80 FR 41550). The public comment period 
closed on August 14, 2015, and no comments were received.
    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the 58 applicants and 
determined that granting the exemptions to these individuals would 
achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that 
would be achieved by complying with the current regulation 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(3).

Diabetes Mellitus and Driving Experience of the Applicants

    The Agency established the current requirement for diabetes in 1970 
because several risk studies indicated that drivers with diabetes had a 
higher rate of crash involvement than the general population. The 
diabetes rule provides that ``A person is physically qualified to drive 
a commercial motor vehicle if that person has no established medical 
history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring 
insulin for control'' (49 CFR 391.41(b)(3)).
    FMCSA established its diabetes exemption program, based on the 
Agency's July 2000 study entitled ``A Report to Congress on the 
Feasibility of a Program to Qualify Individuals with Insulin-Treated 
Diabetes Mellitus to Operate in Interstate Commerce as Directed by the 
Transportation Act for the 21st Century.'' The report concluded that a 
safe and practicable protocol to allow some drivers with ITDM to 
operate CMVs is feasible. The September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441), Federal 
Register notice in conjunction with the November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777), 
Federal Register notice provides the current protocol for allowing such 
drivers to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
    These 58 applicants have had ITDM over a range of one to 50 years. 
These applicants report no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting in 
loss of consciousness or seizure, requiring the assistance of another 
person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred 
without warning symptoms, in the past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or 
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the past 5 years. In each case, 
an endocrinologist verified that the driver has demonstrated a 
willingness to properly monitor and manage his/her diabetes mellitus, 
received education related to diabetes management, and is on a stable 
insulin regimen. These drivers report no other disqualifying 
conditions, including diabetes-related complications. Each meets the 
vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    The qualifications and medical condition of each applicant were 
stated and discussed in detail in the July 15, 2015, Federal Register 
notice and they will not be repeated in this notice.

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding.

IV. Basis for Exemption Determination

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) if the exemption 
is likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than 
would be achieved without the exemption. The exemption allows the 
applicants to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
    To evaluate the effect of these exemptions on safety, FMCSA 
considered medical reports about the applicants' ITDM and vision, and 
reviewed the treating endocrinologists' medical opinion related to the 
ability of the driver to safely operate a CMV while using insulin.
    Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these 
applicants from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) is 
likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the 
exemption.

V. Conditions and Requirements

    The terms and conditions of the exemption will be provided to the 
applicants in the exemption document and they include the following: 
(1) That each individual submit a quarterly monitoring checklist 
completed by the treating endocrinologist as well as an annual 
checklist with a comprehensive medical evaluation; (2) that each 
individual reports within 2 business days of occurrence, all episodes 
of severe hypoglycemia, significant complications, or inability to 
manage

[[Page 59230]]

diabetes; also, any involvement in an accident or any other adverse 
event in a CMV or personal vehicle, whether or not it is related to an 
episode of hypoglycemia; (3) that each individual provide a copy of the 
ophthalmologist's or optometrist's report to the medical examiner at 
the time of the annual medical examination; and (4) that each 
individual provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the 
employer for retention in the driver's qualification file, or keep a 
copy in his/her driver's qualification file if he/she is self-employed. 
The driver must also have a copy of the certification when driving, for 
presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement 
official.

VI. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the 58 exemption applications, FMCSA 
exempts the following drivers from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10), subject to the requirements cited above 949 CFR 
391.64(b)):

James D. Acker (OR)
Henry Andreoli (MA)
Jonathan A. Boston (NY)
James G. Bracegirdle (GA)
Richard T. Bray (TX)
Joseph C. Brewster (VA)
Bradley R. Brown (NH)
Steven G. Brown (MN)
Annette F. Bryant (CA)
Brian G. Carter (GA)
Daniel B. Craig (OR)
Willie L. Davis (MS)
Sean W. Dempsey (OH)
Patrick L. Feely (MN)
Garry W. Garrison (WI)
James Genello (NJ)
John T. Gorman (NJ)
Gabriel L. Grooms (WA)
Joel K. Hawkins (IL)
William H. Hudgens, Jr. (TX)
Gary L. Hulslander (PA)
Daniel E. Jackowski (WI)
Alan J. Jeffrey (CT)
John W. Johnson (TN)
Samuel S. Johnson (WI)
Thomas R. Keaton (MO)
Charles A. Kelley (IA)
Omer E. King (PA)
Eric R. Knutson (MN)
Bruce E. Koehn (KS)
Douglas L. Kugler (MN)
John G. Leutze, Jr. (NY)
Hershel McIntosh (KY)
Andrew S. McKinney (MN)
Michael L. Medina (CO)
Douglas D. Miller (WY)
Dallas W. Minton (IN)
Ronnie R. Parker (ME)
Robert F. Perez (PA)
Ray E. Phipps (IL)
Bruce F. Sanderson (LA)
Raymond Santiago (NJ)
Travis D. Shadden (IN)
Randy S. Steinbach (WA)
Bradley D. Stillman (AZ)
Paul R. Thorkelson (MN)
Michael J. Toth (PA)
Christopher O. Trent (KS)
Charles H. Turner (WI)
Jesse W. Turner (MI)
Donavan A. Van Houten (WA)
Matt S. Volk (NE)
Daniel M. Waldner (ND)
Carlton G. Watson (MD)
Timothy L. Wilkinson (OH)
Catherine A. Willcox (CT)
Kenneth P. Wing (MI)
Timothy W. Young (PA)

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 each exemption is 
valid for two years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will 
be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The person fails to comply with 
the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has 
resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was 
granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent 
with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315. If the 
exemption is still effective at the end of the 2-year period, the 
person may apply to FMCSA for a renewal under procedures in effect at 
that time.

    Issued on: September 25, 2015.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-24924 Filed 9-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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